External risk intelligence

Remote Code Execution in Remote API WordPress Plugin Via Unauthenticated Input Deserialization.

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.0)

CVE-2026-14602

The vulnerability affects a WordPress plugin, which is a type of web application component commonly deployed on internet-facing web servers. Because WordPress sites are frequently exposed to the public internet to serve web traffic, the attack surface provided by an installed plugin is typically reachable by external, unauthenticated users.

Code Injection

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A critical vulnerability has been identified in a widely used WordPress plugin, allowing unauthenticated attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This issue arises from a failure to properly authenticate user input before processing it, which could enable malicious actors to inject harmful code if certain conditions are met through other installed plugins.

Unauthenticated code execution in WordPress plugin.
Matters due to widespread use and potential for takeover.
Confirm relevance and verify exposure.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could potentially achieve remote code execution by sending a specially crafted request to a vulnerable WordPress site. This request bypasses authentication and exploits the plugin's tendency to deserialize untrusted input, leading to the injection of malicious PHP objects if a compatible chain exists.

Unauthenticated access to the website is required.
A request triggers deserialization of user input.
Remote code execution is the primary risk.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary PHP code on a WordPress site when a specific gadget chain is available. This could affect the integrity and availability of the website and any data it processes.

Website code and data.
Unauthenticated remote code injection.
Complete site compromise.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

For this CVE, application owners and potentially infrastructure or platform teams are likely responsible for remediation. The first practical step is to identify all WordPress instances using the Remote API plugin, determine their exposure, and confirm business criticality before planning intervention.

Application owners should own this issue.
Verify all WordPress instances and plugin usage.
Plan remediation based on identified risk.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Remote API WordPress plugin?

The Remote API plugin is a third-party software component designed to extend the functionality of a WordPress site. It is commonly used to facilitate external data communication or service integration. In this context, it acts as a bridge that processes incoming requests, which is where the flaw resides.

What does CWE-94 mean for CVE-2026-14602?

CWE-94 refers to improper control of generation of code. In this CVE, the plugin accepts user input and processes it through deserialization without checking who sent it. This flaw allows an attacker to inject unauthorized PHP objects. If the site has other supporting code present, this can trick the server into executing arbitrary commands, resulting in remote code execution.

How does an attacker trigger this vulnerability?

An attacker triggers this by sending a specially crafted, unauthenticated request directly to the vulnerable plugin. This process does not require login credentials. It is important to note that the vulnerability is not triggered by standard site traffic; it specifically requires the presence of a compatible gadget chain—a series of existing code instructions—to complete the execution path.

Is my site at risk according to Halo Surface Signal?

Yes, if you use this plugin, your risk is elevated. Halo Surface Signal identifies that because WordPress sites are typically internet-facing to serve public web traffic, the plugin's components are often reachable by any external user. If your site is accessible from the public internet, an unauthenticated actor could potentially reach the vulnerable entry point.

What should I do if I run this plugin?

Your first step is to perform an inventory of your WordPress environments to identify where the Remote API plugin is installed and active. Once identified, evaluate the criticality of those specific sites to your operations. Do not assume all installations are equally protected; confirm which instances are internet-facing and prepare for potential intervention based on your business risk.

References

wpscan.com/vulnerability/eb5a7d86-4762-48ad-83bf-81f048527147/

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.